Summer Outdoor Theatre & Cinema Season returns for 2021

Summer Outdoor Theatre & Cinema Season returns for 2021

Pull up a camping chair and get your picnic ready – tickets are now on sale for Markeaton Park’s much-loved Summer Outdoor Theatre and Cinema Season which returns in June, July and August this year.

Derby LIVE and Derby Parks will bring audiences thrilling shows from Oddsocks Productions, Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company and Babbling Vagabonds, as well as showings of award-winning films, all in the beautiful surroundings of Markeaton Park Craft Village. There is something for all ages.

  • Thu 24 Jun, Fri 25 Jun, Sat 26 Jun at 7.30pm

Oddsocks Productions bring their fun, family friendly adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors to the stage from Thu 24 Jun to Sat 26 Jun, with the promise of slapstick, music and outrageous characters. A servant and master in search of their long-lost twin brothers find themselves in a chain of chaotic events, running headlong into a happy ending which defies all probability. A summer delight not to be missed! Tickets: £17, concessions available.

  • Fri 9 July, Sat 10 July, Sun 11 July at 8pm.

Amateur Theatre Group, Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company bring you the well-loved, extremely successful and energetic comedy Bouncers from acclaimed writer John Godber. Join Lucky Eric, Les, Ralph and Judd as they take you on a hilarious journey through a typical night out in the 90s, through the eyes of the bouncers... and the lads, lasses and characters they encounter. A nostalgic look back that’ll have you laughing out loud. Tickets: £13.

  • Wed 21, Thu 22, Fri 23, Sat 24 and Sun 25 Jul at 11am and 2pm.

Fresh from their Christmas Elf Encounter in Derby Market Place, Babbling Vagabonds are back in Markeaton Park with Here be Dragons!: A Wild Walk and outdoor theatre adventure for families. Meet the secretive ‘Creature Carers’ and help them to conjure a story to becalm a bewildered beastie. Audiences can join the walk from Wed 21 Jul to Sun 25 Jul. Tickets: £9. Under 3’s go free.


The films chosen for this year’s cinema season have a distinctly musical flavour. Bring your picnic and watch the sun go down before the films start.

  • Thu 29th July: Bohemian Rhapsody (12A), a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury, returns by popular demand. Gates open 7pm. Film starts close to 9pm, 30 mins after sunset. Tickets: £14.
  • Fri 30th July: In A Star is Born (15), seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) meets and falls in love with struggling singer-songwriter Ally (Lady Gaga). Jack coaxes Ally to follow her dreams while he battles with alcoholism and his personal demons. This Oscar-winning film is the most recent version of the classic Hollywood tale. Gates open 7pm. Film starts close to 9pm, 30 mins after sunset. Tickets: £14.
  • Sat 31st July: Rocketman (15) is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible story of Elton John’s breakthrough years in the 1970’s. It won a Golden Globe for Taron Egerton in his performance as Elton, and an Oscar for (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again, a new song written for the film by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Gates open 7pm. Film starts close to 9pm, 30 mins after sunset. Tickets: £14.
  • Sun 1 Aug: For the final film of the season, enjoy some Razzle Dazzle with Chicago (12A). Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta Jones star in the musical about murder, mayhem and celebrity. Enjoy your picnic and All That Jazz! Gates open 7pm. Film starts close to 9pm, 30 mins after sunset. Tickets: £14.

The hard-standing area of the Craft Village is the scene for Derby LIVE’s stage and screen, so bring a low-backed chair for your comfort and enjoy a summer evening in the park with top-notch entertainment. You are welcome to bring your own alcohol, but no glass bottles or glasses please. More information is available at derbylive.co.uk.

All events will be run in line with the guidelines in place for live outdoor entertainment following the COVID pandemic.

Tickets for all films and theatre shows are available from derbylive.co.uk and from our Sales and Information Centre on 01332 255800.

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